Vasque trail runner with FootSync

With an on-road body and an off-road soul, the Vasque Transistor FS is touted as a shoe that offers custom fit, a lower center of gravity, superior cushioning, and features that allow it to “conform to terrain.”

The shoe is very airy, with a low profile and killer colors. But it’s what’s inside that makes a difference: The company’s new FootSync system is said to provide constant foot support with a contoured midsole and a shoe last that eliminates the need for an insole.

With the elimination of the footbed, the FootSync system reduces weight and cuts down the distance between your foot and the terrain. A lower midsole and a contoured-surface outsole allow runners to “get intimate with the trail,” as Vasque puts it.

Even without an insole, Vasque says the 11.4-ounce shoe (men’s size 9) doesn’t sacrifice comfort. The outsole uses rounded edges and tapered lugs to grip terrain and provide lateral stability. The shoe is designed for hard-packed trails or roads, but it sounds as if it’d be great on pavement as well. The Transistor FS will be available in January for $100. www.vasque.com

—Ryan Dionne